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Town of Bassendean 2017 local government election candidates

Below are the background profiles of candidates for this local government authority. Candidates running in the election authorised and provided their background profiles to Community Newspaper Group for publication. Candidate contact details are included in each profile.

About me:Married with two step daughters. I live and work within the Town of Bassendean and can be seen on club nights and game days to cheer on our mighty black and whites. I have been living in Ashfield for close on 16 years and will continue to do so. Work wise I am currently working at Watt’s Western Rubber Bassendean along with 16 years of senior positions within the hospitality industry as well as community based volunteer work. I have served on a number of committees with in Swan Districts Football Club and held office as a former President and Treasurer of the Swansmen Inc. My secondary education was at Cyril Jackson Senior High School in the mid-80s

Why I’m running for council:I will make sure there will be transparency, accountability with a strong financial and governance practices on the Council. I can assure all residents as a Councillor, I will act in the best interests of all residents on all occasions and assess all matters before the Council totally on merit without fear or favour. As a Councillor I would also plan to explore all avenues open to us at the Council to ensure the Town of Bassendean remains a relevant community and for it to prosper into the future.

I want to retain our unique way of living, but at the same time to be open to innovation and not be scared of trying some new ideas for the betterment of the whole of the Town. I am confident that I can contribute to the Council and work with the other Councillors and the Mayor to guide Bassendean into the future. My passion for our Town is unwavering.

My top three priorities if elected:

Support and promote small business in Bassendean, by facilitating workshops and networking functions.

Review Council expenditure with a view to freeing rates at the 2017 level in real terms for the next two years

Sensible, well-planned development to further invigorate Bassendean

Name: Kath HamiltonPhone: 0408 725 555Email: TalkingBassendean@gmail.comSuburb of residence: BassendeanAre you a member of a political party? No

About me:

My whole working life has been about collaborating with others, cherry picking the best ideas, then pulling it all together to make things happen. How does this translate into a council situation? I believe great ideas come from consulting widely and honestly. From that we get the best outcomes for this community. My first and subsequent businesses were all startups. Three years ago I scaled back my business activities, and now selectively engage in innovate design and event organising for large corporate events.

Why I’m running for council:

In late 2015 a community survey was released just before Christmas relating to a LandCorp proposal to build hundreds of units around Bassendean Oval. I strongly felt our council was not representing the wishes of the majority of this community. I believe in retaining our public open spaces. Quite apart from all the other reasons for retaining public spaces, it’s just madness to be looking at building high density on our green spaces when there are so many dilapidated buildings from the seventies that are ripe for redevelopment. Why would anyone want to destroy the best parts of our town and leave the eyesores standing. Who benefits from that? This journey started with the LandCorp issue. That in turn caused greater scrutiny of our council. The floodgates of discontent with our council opened. So instead of just talking the talk I’ve decided to jump in boots and all.

My top three priorities if elected:

• I want to end wasteful practices that are driving up our rates and ensure rates income is spent more fairly across all our suburbs i.e. Eden Hill, Ashfield, Success Hill and Bassendean.
• Improve the avenues of communication with all sections of our community ensuring that all information imparted is 100% honest.
• Look to create additional revenue streams to alleviate the rates burden through a variety of means, including an increase in staging of profitable, non intrusive events on our prime reserves located next to train stations.

About me:I am a small business owner that has lived in Bassendean for over 25 years with my wife and son. Currently, I serve the community as the Deputy Mayor and I am the second longest serving councillor. Eight years ago, I saw that the community could benefit from the business acumen, financial accountability and vision, of a small business owner. Since that moment forward, I have strived to support decisions on council that balanced the needs of the Bassendean community with responsible financial management. Residents of the Town of Bassendean can be satisfied that much progress has been achieved in our town during my time on council including: outdoor movies; Old Perth Road Markets; Civic Gardens with War Memorial; Town Centre revitalisation; Gym Equipment at Jubilee Oval; Underground power in Ashfield; upgrading of lighting and infrastructure in our parks and reserves and the renovation of the Bassendean Shopping Centre.

Why I’m running for council:Whilst much has been achieved on Bassendean Council, we need to ensure that there is consistency in decision making, financial management, and accountability to continue to deliver change. We need to elect leaders who are capable and will be responsible to all ratepayers. Now with the change of faces on council, we as a community are presented with new challenges. It’s time to call on my experience, as the second longest serving councillor, to make sure that all the progress we have gained in recent years is not lost. With four positions vacant, we need to elect councillors who share the same vision for change and who will be accountable.

My top three priorities if elected:

To focus on Transparency, Accountability and affordable Rates,

Ensure Future Development protects mixed-use green public space,

Develop a new multiple purpose Community Civic Centre, with Child Health Centre.

Name: Craig LucanusPhone: 0414 512 291Email: lucanus@iinet.net.auSuburb of residence: BassendeanAre you a member of a political party? NoAbout me:

I came to live in Bassendean in 1999 with my wife, Margaret, and our three young sons after choosing its country-in-the-city feel around the river. The kids went to Basso Primary and we tried to be as involved as we could in their educational, cultural and sporting endeavours. Our boys have now grown up and left us and we continue to live and work in Bassendean. I teach science and math at Cyril Jackson Senior Campus. While I believe in progress and prosperity for the Town I am also a conservationist, as I believe we all are at heart. The residents of Bassendean want to be proud of their Town from each of these standpoints, and it is my intention to do my part to ensure a good balance is met. This means bringing science and data with a sense of economy to bear on decision-making.

Why I’m running for council:

I’m passionate about youth education. Through working as a teacher at Cyril Jackson Senior Campus I’m able to gain valuable insights into the needs of our town’s youth and residents. As a small council Bassendean must sensibly manage its finances to afford the aspirations and growing needs of its residents and keep it a viable, independent entity. Therefore, we need to better manage our resources and carefully manage costs. I believe our town’s facilities can be better utilised to meet needs. Also:

• Bassendean’s best features need conservation
• Rates growth should not exceed growth in community capacity to pay
• Matters exist outside the remit of local government that should be left to higher tier governance to resolve, not activism.
• Local government must provide spaces where people can meet to share in nurturing each other, children, pets, and gardens.

My top three priorities if elected:

• Negotiating the use of Cyril Jackson Campus facilities to deliver activities in art, sport, and recreation for youth and all residents.
• Supporting the arts with a dedicated home to encourage cultural expression of ideas in a community environment.
• Providing a Child Health Centre encompassing both a clinic and playgroup.

Name: Melissa MykytiukPhone: 0410 682 563Email: melissaforbassendean@gmail.comSuburb of residence: BassendeanAre you a member of a political party? No

About me:

I have had a connection with Bassendean for over 30 years, I grew up here and went to school at St Michaels and La Salle College. I moved to Melbourne to study nursing and psychology and returned to Perth 10 years ago to follow my passion for wildlife and nature, completing a degree in Conservation and Wildlife Biology. Almost two years ago, I bought a home in Hamilton St, Bassendean. I love living in Bassendean and I’ve been delighted to rediscover the country in the city feel and a great sense of community. Professionally, I work as the Community Liaison Officer at Bold Park, working with community groups and stakeholders to protect and restore the park. I also volunteer at Lifeline, providing crisis support to callers Australia wide. I am passionate about protecting and enhancing our reserves and waterways and improving the wellbeing and resilience of individuals and our community.

Why I’m running for council:

I was initially motivated to run for council to protect and restore our green spaces. Whilst the community had voiced that this was a priority, council was making decisions to rezone many of these areas from parks and recreation to residential. I want to preserve what makes Bassendean so special and the lifestyle that many of us enjoy. I want to be proactive in improving community safety, providing greater opportunities for connectivity by supporting volunteer and sporting groups. I also want to address one of our biggest challenges which is how meet the state target for increased dwellings whilst protecting our natural environment and complementing the aesthetic and heritage of this unique suburb. I want Bassendean council to be a leader in caring for our environment and the health of residents by promoting and increasing the uptake of sustainable initiatives and reducing the impacts of climate change.

My top three priorities if elected:

• Respecting community values, engaging in sincere consultation and using the outcomes to inform decision making
• Working with the community and police to increase neighbourhood safety
• Protecting and enhancing our green spaces, environmental and heritage values while meeting development targets in a strategic sustainable way.

Name: Adam PenneyPhone: 0439 964 097Email: adampenney@telstra.comSuburb of residence: BassendeanAre you a member of a political party? Yes. Liberal Democrats

About me:

I have moved from up north to Bassendean earlier this year however I have been visiting and staying within the area whenever I can over the past few years. I have been an active participant in sporting clubs/associations whenever possible as well as participating and enjoying the sport itself.

Why I’m running for council:

In order to give back to those in the community. I will endeavour to make sure any concerns from the ratepayers and those living within the area is tabled and addressed at the relevant meetings. Also that I represent the best interests of the community as a whole as I believe that is the role of a councillor.

My top three priorities if elected:

• Community Consultation/Feedback
• To stream council meetings online for those that may not be able to make it and attend.
• Ensuring rates are not raised and the current rates is split to the necessary areas.

Name: Angie PiantadosiPhone: 9279 9301 Mob: 0438 220154Email: piantadosi@ozemail.com.auSuburb of Residence: Eden HillAre you a member of a political party? I have affiliations with the Labor Party. My late husband was a Member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia for 12 years and his support base was through the Labor Party. However as a councillor my voice on council must remain independent of a political dictate to fairly deal with all ratepayers on all issues.

About me:

I am a member of a third generation Bassendean family in Eden Hill since 1953. My late husband and I raised our son in Eden Hill and I still care for my mother here. After the death of my husband the then Deputy Mayor of the Town of Bassendean and angry with the way the natural bush I knew as a child had deteriorated I started attending council meetings. I have served on the Liveable Town Committee, Renewable Energy and Urban Forest working groups. Joined the Jubilee Action Group to stop the open drug running at Jubilee Reserve and as a member of the Community Campaign against Residential Prisons I am against detention centres near schools and homes. As a long-time resident of the Town and drawing on experience as a former teacher I am committed to the enduring liveability in Bassendean for all in our community.

I am standing for Council to:

• ensure council remains focused on the business of local govt., safeguarding rates for the sound economic functioning of our Town.
• protect the right of ratepayers to develop their own land in line with sensible, current Town Planning.
• demand feasible policies for children, families and seniors.
• safeguard against the sale of Town assets for frivolous expenditure.
• promote solar panels and lighting on Town buildings as an affordable way forward.
• achieve subsidies for more underground power to promote healthy and attractive street-scapes.
• campaign to protect our remaining bushland.
• cut red tape to establish a café strip near Bassendean Station with permanent seating, colourful plantings and creative street art. Next encourage apartments above the newly created strip to stimulate growth.
• insist on fair and unbiased community representation on committees and working groups.
• promote and celebrate the many different cultures that make up the Town of Bassendean.

My top three priorities if elected are:

• Ensure councillors stick to Local Govt. matters only. Issues like changes to Australia Day will not even come before Council.
• Ensure Town Planning policies are current.
• Ensure the selection process of committees and groups is consistent, transparent and unbiased.

Name: Sarah QuintonPhone: 0439 439 233Email: sarahforbassendean@gmail.comSuburb of residence: BassendeanAre you a member of a political party? Yes, The Greens WA.About me:

Raised in Bassendean I spent my first 16 years getting muddy along the banks of the Swan, attending Bassendean Primary School and Governor Stirling High. I travelled the world for seven years and returned to finish my journalism degree, landing my first post at The Esperance Express, where I exposed the lead scandal that contaminated the Town and shut down the mine. At that time, I lost my brother to suicide, which took many years to grieve. I noticed a distinct lack of support for people with mental illness and suicide prevention, so I began reporting on it during my time at The West Australian newspaper. This caught the attention of WA’s first Minister for Mental Health, who asked me to promote WA’s first suicide prevention strategy. It’s the reason I champion services for children in Bassendean, because I believe when we get our kids right, we build resilient adults.

Why I’m running for council:

Two years ago, I created my own human, which introduced me to the embarrassing lack of family and children’s services in Bassendean, Ashfield and Eden Hill. In particular, I was left degraded and horrified by the dilapidated building that hosts our Child Health Nurse. I found it more comfortable to sit on the floor to care for my cesarean wound and breastfeed my baby, than the bench. The building is 60 years and has been the only space to provide free health care for our 180 babies born in Bassendean each year. Since then I surveyed more than 100 families and it was clear we need a new building with playgroup space and day care centre for our families to connect. Coupled with more renewable energy and driving a transition to electric vehicles, protecting trees and planting more with nature based playgrounds we create a healthy Town for our kids.

Name: Jessica StraussPhone: 0415 375 868Email: jessica.s.strauss@gmail.comSuburb of residence: Eden HillAre you a member of a political party? No, I am not. I am apolitical.

About me:

I’ve been living in the Town of Bassendean all of my life and aside from a few small stints living in the country, I’ve always called Bassendean home. I’ve previously worked as a Reporter for ABC Rural, an Associate Editor of a magazine, and I currently work as a Communications Officer at the University of Western Australia. I’ve recently bought a house with my partner in Eden Hill and I have a strong family connection with the Town, as my grandparents lived here, with my mum who grew up in Ashfield. She still lives in the area with my dad. I love taking my dog for a walk by the river in Town and I’m a big advocate of active transport, using our shared paths to ride to work. Having a media background, I enjoy listening to people’s stories and I would be proud to represent Bassendean residents in Council.

Why I’m running for council:

I genuinely love the Town of Bassendean. I want to see it grow in a sensible and sustainable way for future generations to enjoy. I believe Bassendean has a bright future and I would like to contribute to the success of the Town. I support progress and innovation and I believe I will bring fresh ideas to Council if elected. Bassendean is a great Town, but I believe there are steps that can be made to make it an even better place to live, work and play. I would also love the opportunity to get to know Bassendean residents better and work with the community.

My top three priorities if elected:

• Enhancement of parks and reserves. Such as better play equipment, prickle-free grass, bike riding paths (including developing a bicycle boulevard connecting the town to the river), facilities for exercise, kids play equipment and I will advocate for our reserves to be ‘community meeting’ places.
• Ensuring we have a sensible budget and work to keep rates stable.
• Drive crime down by installing CCTV in crime hotspots and look at innovative ways to prevent crime.

Name: Jai WilsonPhone: 0427 690 053Email: jai.wilson@mail.comSuburb of residence: BassendeanAre you a member of a political party? Labor

About me:

For sixteen years, my wife and I have loved raising our four children here in the Town of Bassendean. Being involved in our children’s sporting clubs and local volunteer groups has made us new friends and brought us closer to our community. I want transparency, accountability and genuine community engagement to be at the heart of everything we do. I want to protect our shared open spaces for community use; ensure that development is done sensibly and sustainably; and care for our river and unique environment. I want to ensure that working families have access to affordable, high quality child care, and create more spaces for our children to be active and use their imaginations. I want our Council to make decisions that meet the needs of our community, rather than just the narrow interests of property developers. This will be my focus, if you elect me to our Council.

Why I’m running for council:

In the past two years, I have become concerned that some of our elected representatives do not value community opinion and that’s why I decided to roll my sleeves up and get involved.
I want to be a part of a Council, that is accountable to ratepayers and makes responsible decisions for the good of our community; that genuinely engages with ratepayers and involves our community in its decisions; that makes planning decisions that preserve our Town’s unique character and protect and enhance our shared open spaces; that builds nature-based playgrounds throughout our Town that make it easier and safer for our children to be active and use their imaginations; that provides affordable, accessible and high quality child care for working families; that supports our community sporting clubs and volunteer groups; that improves our community sport and recreation facilities and that protects and enhances the quality of our river and wetlands.

My top three priorities if elected:

• Increasing the Town’s accountability to ratepayers, making responsible decisions for the good of the many, not the few;
• Ensuring genuine engagement with ratepayers and our community, building the confidence and engagement of the community in Council decisions; and
• Ensuring that planning decisions preserve our Town’s unique character and protect and enhance our shared open spaces.